How to Price Pyrography and Wood Burning Art
How to price pyrography and wood burning art: wood, burning time, design and finishing, with three worked examples.
In this guide
Hand wood burning is slow, detailed work. Materials cost little, so most of the price is your time. This guide shows how to price pyrography from simple pieces to detailed portraits.
- Price = wood + finish + burning time + design + overhead, then profit and fees.
- A small burned sign costs about $29.70 to make and sells for about $43.
- Detailed portraits take many hours. Price by hours, not size alone.
- Hand burning is different from laser work. Explain it to buyers.
Why pyrography needs time pricing
A detailed piece can take 10 hours or more.
Buyers may compare it with laser pieces. Explain that it is hand made.
The steps
1. Cost wood
Blank or slice.
2. Time the burning
By detail level.
3. Add design
Sketching and transfer.
4. Add finish
Sealant or oil.
5. Add overhead, profit and fees
Use 10% overhead, 30% profit and fees.
Worked example: three pyrography pieces
$20 an hour, 10% overhead, 30% profit and 10% fees.
| Small name sign | Set of 3 spoons | Detailed pet portrait | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wood | $5.00 | $8.00 | $15.00 |
| Finish and packaging | $2.00 | $2.50 | $4.00 |
| Labor at $20.00/hr | 1 hr = $20.00 | 1.5 hr = $30.00 | 8 hr = $160.00 |
| Overhead (10%) | $2.70 | $4.05 | $17.90 |
| Cost to make | $29.70 | $44.55 | $196.90 |
| Plus 30% profit | $38.61 | $57.91 | $255.97 |
| Cover 10% selling fees (divide by 0.90) | $42.90 | $64.35 | $284.41 |
| Suggested price | $43 | $65 | $285 |
Detailed portraits price high because of the hours. Offer simple pieces for markets.
Pricing mistakes to avoid
- Pricing like laser work. Hand burning takes far longer.
- No design fee. Custom art takes time.
- Treated wood. Never burn treated or painted wood.
- No finish. Seal pieces to protect them.
What you keep on each sales channel
The same small burned sign at $43.00 leaves different money in your pocket depending on where it sells. This uses the $29.70 cost to make from the example above, with Etsy's current transaction, processing and listing fees and Square's in-person card rate. Shipping, sales tax and ads are left out.
| Where it sells | Buyer pays | Fees | You keep | Profit over cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Etsy (6.5% + 3% + $0.25 + $0.20 listing) | $43.00 | $4.54 | $38.47 | $8.77 |
| Your own website (about 2.9% + $0.30) | $43.00 | $1.55 | $41.45 | $11.75 |
| Craft fair, card reader (2.6% + $0.15) | $43.00 | $1.27 | $41.73 | $12.03 |
| Craft fair, cash | $43.00 | $0.00 | $43.00 | $13.30 |
| Wholesale to a shop (50% of retail) | $21.50 | $0.00 | $21.50 | -$8.20 |
On Etsy, fees take about 11% of a $43.00 sale. If a sale comes through Etsy Offsite Ads, add another 15% (12% for shops over $10,000 a year), so build that into your price if you're enrolled. Wholesale at half of retail loses $8.20 per piece here. Either raise retail, lower your cost, or set a separate wholesale price with a case minimum.
Pyrography checklist
- Wood.
- Burning time.
- Design.
- Finish.
- Overhead, profit and fees.
- Commission deposit.
Price any handmade product
Type your wood, finish and time into the peach cells. The calculator shows cost and price.
Get the Handmade Product Pricing CalculatorCalculators that help
- Custom orders: Quote commissions. Use the Custom Order Quote Calculator – Design Time, Revisions, Rush Fee, Deposit & Balance Due.
- Hourly rate: Set your rate. Use the Hourly Rate & Pay Yourself Calculator – Hourly Rate, Per-Minute Rate & Income Goal for Makers.
- Deposits: Track deposits. Use the Custom Order Deposit & Balance Tracker – Deposits, Balances Due & Overdue Orders.
- Craft show: Plan market stock. Use the Craft Show & Event Profit Planner Pro – Booth & Travel Costs, Workers, Inventory, Break-Even & Profit per Hour.
Common questions
How much should I charge for wood burning art?
It depends on detail and time. In this guide a small sign prices at about $43.
How do I price portraits?
By hours of burning.
What wood is best?
Basswood and birch are popular.
Should I seal pyrography?
Yes.
How is it different from laser?
It is hand burned and each piece is unique.
Should I take deposits?
Yes, for commissions.
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